2. Women's Perspectives - Christian Aboriginal Infrastructure ...

Our analysis of employment development in Volume 2, Chapter 5 emphasized the need
for an integrated effort to get Aboriginal people into real, sustainable jobs. We
recommended a special employment and training initiative, using existing levers where
they work and improving on them where they have not worked (especially employment
equity, a program with the potential to help Aboriginal women gain a foothold in the
employment market).
We examined education and training in Volume 3, Chapter 5. Key recommendations of
interest to Aboriginal women include recognizing the right of Aboriginal peoples to
establish their own education systems at all stages of life. Self-government in education
includes the capacity to make laws, set standards, establish policies and introduce
regulations in all areas related to the education of Aboriginal citizens. We also
recommended that Aboriginal governments assume responsibility for all aspects of adult
education and job-related training, including program design and criteria, language of
instruction, and internal allocations of funds. It is expected that Aboriginal women will
be fully involved in the implementation of these recommendations.
Our public consultations and research revealed the wide and diverse range of
organizations, groups and networks of Aboriginal women. Some of the organizations
have existed for many years, while others are quite new. The knowledge and skills base
accumulated among these groups could be used to greater effect — to identify gaps and
to encourage further development of ideas, strategies and processes important to
Aboriginal women. A data base or inventory of existing Aboriginal women's groups and
the work they are doing would be invaluable in ensuring that experiences and skills are
shared as widely as possible.
Recommendation
The Commission recommends that
4.2.3
Aboriginal governments and planning bodies with a mandate to develop new structures
for human services undertake, in collaboration with women's organizations, an inventory
of existing services, organizations and networks with a view to building on existing
strengths and ensuring continuity of effort.
9. Conclusion
At our public hearings in Calgary, Gerri Many Fingers echoed the feelings of many
Aboriginal women about the future they envision for their children and their role in
making that vision a reality:
We are seeking a life of hope for our children, a life of freedom from mental abuse,
physical abuse, drugs, racism, sexism….We are aware of the political, social, mental and
spiritual issues which our people are facing and confronting each day, whether we live on
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